Can a patent be issued on a provisional application?
Ans.: A patent can be issued on a subsequently filed 111(a) application that claims the benefit of a provisional application. The provisional application, itself, cannot mature into a patent. 19. When can an applicant file a provisional application? Ans.: A provisional application can only be filed on or after June 8, 1995. 20. Can a 111(a) application filed on or after June 8, 1995, be converted to a provisional application? Ans.: Yes, a 111(a) application can be converted to a provisional application so long as the petition to make that conversion is made within one year of the 111(a) application filing date or prior to payment of the issue fee in that 111(a) application, whichever event is earlier. A petition fee of $50, or $25 for a small entity, must also be submitted. 21. Can an application filed before June 8, 1995, be converted into a provisional application after June 8, 1995? Ans.: No. No provisional application can have filing date prior to June 8, 1995. 22. If an applicatio
